Marching to Appomattox The footrace that ended the Civil War

Ken Stark

Book - 2009

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Subjects
Published
New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin c2009.
Language
English
Main Author
Ken Stark (-)
Physical Description
unpaged : col. ill., map ; 25 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN
9780399242120
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

In this dramatic day-by-day account, Stark chronicles the tense six-day chase in April 1865 that ended with the Army of Northern Virginia's failure to break out of the encircling Union forces. In both the text and the realistic painted illustrations, the view alternates between scenes of the mud-spattered, cigar-smoking Grant amid long lines of blue-clad foot soldiers and the more dapper but increasingly grim Lee, desperately looking for some escape route for his weary, ragged troops. Stark recounts in detail the two generals' historic culminating meeting and closes with an amicable symbolic parting between a Yank and a Johnny Reb, who set off for their respective homes. A simplified map at the opening and an afterword and useful reading list at the end round off this absorbing alternative to the likes of Zachary Kent's Story of the Surrender at the Appomattox Courthouse (1987) or Tom McGowen's Surrender at Appomattox (2004).--Peters, John Copyright 2009 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 3-5-The beginning of April 1865 was a pivotal time in the Civil War. Following a defeat at Richmond, VA, the Confederate forces tried to outrun the Union troops and get to waiting reinforcements in North Carolina. Instead, Lee's men ended up trapped by General Grant's army. The week culminated with Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Stark frames this war vignette effectively for young readers. While calling the events a "footrace" may not do justice to the horrors of war, it is a creative way to present the information. The text is folksy and conversational, but quotations are not directly attributed. The author is respectful of both Grant and Lee, and depicts the soldiers on both sides as having more in common than not. The illustrations are a great strength. Rendered in watercolor, the inclusion of gouache and casein gives the hues a vividness and depth not always associated with the medium. The soldiers look strong and determined, in victory and defeat. Stark's attention to detail means that the famous "silent witness," a doll left in the parlor before the generals arrived, appears in the background of a spread that shows them shaking hands. Report writers will need a more straightforward approach to the topic, such as Andrew Santella's Surrender at Appomattox (Compass Point, 2006), but this book has appeal for the many children who enjoy reading about the Civil War or who may be visiting the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

Short sections of text, copiously illustrated with dramatic watercolor, gouache, and casein paintings, describe the days leading up to the surrender of Robert E. Lee and his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to the determined Ulysses S. Grant. This powerful and memorable portrait of the end of a bitter struggle skillfully incorporates some primary source material. A foreword and afterword provide additional facts. Bib. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

From April 3 through April 9, 1865, the last important battles of the Civil War were fought as the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia fled from Petersburg and Richmond, followed closely by the Army of the Potomac, which trapped them at Appomattox. Day by day, Stark charts the race between the troops of the fleeing General Robert E. Lee and his pursuer, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, and the ultimate surrender. Realistic paintings in watercolor, gouache and casein depict a determined but rumpled and muddy Grant, enthusiastic boys in blue, both black and white, and exhausted Confederates in grey led by the handsome, sharply dressed Lee. An opening map that shows the location of each major battle introduces a clear narrative that is detailed enough to make this chapter in American history come alive. Excerpts from correspondence between the two generals and chapter-opening lines from participants add authenticity. The bibliography represents the author's research but does not, unfortunately, include titles for further investigation by young readers. This flaw notwithstanding, fine fare for young history buffs. (afterword) (Nonfiction. 8-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.